Edible fungus

Abstract

An elongate product comprises a filamentous fungus wherein the product has a dimension (A) measured in a first direction and a dimension (B) measured in a second direction, wherein dimension (A) is in the range 2 mm to 15 mm and dimension (B) is in the range 10 mm to 50 mm. The product is frozen mechanically in a relatively short time to produce ice-crystal sizes within the product of less than 20.0 μm, s. The product has a very long shelf life and when defrosted is found to perform like fresh paste when mixed with other ingredients.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A product comprising a filamentous fungus wherein the product has a dimension (A) measured in a first direction and a dimension (B) measured in a second direction, wherein dimension (A) is in the range 2 mm to 15 mm and dimension (B) is in the range 10 mm to 50 mm, wherein dimension (B) is greater than dimension (A); and
 wherein said product comprises at least 15 wt % of filamentous fungus on a dry matter basis and, wherein, in said product, the sum of the wt % of water and filamentous fungus on a dry matter basis is at least 95 wt %. 
 
     
     
       2. A product according to  claim 1  wherein dimension (A) is at least 3 mm and is less than 13 mm. 
     
     
       3. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein dimension (B) is at least 12 mm and is less than 40 mm. 
     
     
       4. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein said product is elongate and/or comprises an extrudate. 
     
     
       5. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of said product is substantially circular. 
     
     
       6. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein said product has a cross-sectional area of less than 175 mm 2 . 
     
     
       7. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein said product has a ratio defined as the surface area (in mm 2 ) divided by the volume (in mm 3 ) of at least 0.3 mm −1  and less than 5 mm −1 . 
     
     
       8. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein the aspect ratio of the product is defined as dimension (B) divided by dimension (A), wherein said aspect ratio is at least 1.2; and is less than 10. 
     
     
       9. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein said product is in a frozen state. 
     
     
       10. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein said filamentous fungus comprises a fungus selected from fungi imperfecti. 
     
     
       11. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein the level of RNA in the filamentous fungus is less than 2 wt % on a dry matter basis. 
     
     
       12. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein said product comprises less than 30 wt % of said filamentous fungus on a dry matter basis. 
     
     
       13. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein, in said product, the sum of the wt % of water and filamentous fungus on a dry matter basis is at least 99 wt %. 
     
     
       14. A product according to  claim 1 , wherein said product has a weight of at least 0.10 g; and a weight of less than 3.0 g. 
     
     
       15. A product according to  claim 1 , which includes ice crystals having an ice-crystal size within the product of less than 20.0 μm. 
     
     
       16. A product according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein dimension (A) is at least 6 mm and is less than 13 mm; 
 wherein dimension (B) is at least 18 mm and is less than 40 mm; 
 wherein said product is elongate; 
 wherein the cross-sectional shape of said product is substantially circular; 
 wherein said product has a ratio defined as the surface area (in mm 2 ) divided by the volume (in mm 3 ) of at least 0.4 mm −1 ); and less than 5 mm −1 ; 
 wherein the aspect ratio of the product is defined as dimension (B) divided by dimension (A), wherein said aspect ratio is at least 1.2; and is less than 10; 
 wherein said product is in a frozen state; and 
 wherein said filamentous fungus comprises a fungus selected from fungi imperfecti. 
 
     
     
       17. A product according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein dimension (A) is at least 6 mm and is less than 13 mm; 
 wherein dimension (B) is at least 18 mm and is less than 40 mm; 
 wherein said product has a ratio defined as the surface area (in mm 2 ) divided by the volume (in mm 3 ) of at least 0.4 mm −1 ) and less than 5 mm −1 ; 
 wherein the aspect ratio of the product is defined as dimension (B) divided by dimension (A), wherein said aspect ratio is at least 1.2 and is less than 10; and 
 wherein said product is in the form of a disc or rod. 
 
     
     
       18. A product according to  claim 16 , wherein said product has a weight of at least 0.18 g and a weight of less than 3.0 g. 
     
     
       19. A product according to  claim 17 , wherein said product has a weight of at least 0.18 g and a weight of less than 3.0 g. 
     
     
       20. A product according to  claim 19 , wherein the sum of the wt % of water and filamentous fungus on a dry matter basis is at least 99 wt %.